“The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways of thinking, of playing, of speaking…and a hundred hundred more.”– Loris Malaguzzi, Founder of Early Childhood Centers, Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Portledge School is now offering the world-renowned Reggio Emilia approach to learning for its youngest students. Educators at Portledge believe children are born with natural curiosity about the world and that cultivating this curiosity is a key to successful lifelong learning. The Early Childhood program, beginning with “Mommy & Me” and continuing to the pre-nursery class, focuses on the development of the whole child, putting into action current brain research and the Reggio Emilia principles. Young children are encouraged to construct knowledge through developmentally appropriate everyday activities and experiences. The program encourages hands-on exploration, and classrooms are organized to support the social, emotional, language, and cognitive development of every student. Teachers create safe environments that inspire the children to take risks.

Teachers focus on rigorous national standards, including literacy, mathematics, science, physical education, art, music, technology, drama, and French. Emergent literacy promotes print awareness, functions of print, letter recognition, early word recognition, and listening comprehension. There is an emphasis on shared book reading to help children learn language and enhance their vocabulary.  Structured mathematics begins in pre-Kindergarten with engaging hands-on, playful activities designed to help children explore a range of topics, including counting, number concepts, graphing, measurements, patterns, and sorting. Science principles stand out in a variety of activities in which students solve real problems in the classroom and on the playground. Children feel safe and take full advantage of the natural resources of the 60-acre Portledge campus. As children generate, investigate, and test hypotheses, they are encouraged to utilize symbolic language, including drawing, sculpture, dramatic play, and writing. 

Portledge teachers have been trained in the Reggio Emilia approach. “Our teachers improvise and respond to children’s predisposition to enjoy the unexpected. The adults are co-learners and collaborators. The parents and children have truly benefited from this dynamic approach to teaching and learning, and the children are flourishing everyday both socially and academically,” said Alan D. Cohen, Lower School Division Head.

For more information about Portledge School and the Reggio Emilia program or to see it in action, please contact Kari Weis at 516-750-3119 or kweis@portledge.org.